TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Police Chief Inspector General M Iriawan denied the accusation that he has criminalized ulemas, including leader of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) Habib Rizieq Shihab.

"We have never judged (the police) of criminalizing ulemas," Iriawan told the press on Wednesday.

He asserted that the police would have to follow up with the public on reports against any person on alleged violation of law.

Iriawan stated that the Jakarta police had worked professionally in handling Rizieqs case, in which the leader had allegedly mentioned that the central bank BIs logo resembled the now-defunct Indonesian Communist Partys (PKI) hammer and sickle logo.

According to Rizieq, the banknotes recto verso image, which according to Bank Indonesia (BI) functions as an anti-counterfeit feature, resembled the PKI logo.

However, BI brushed off Rizieqs claim, saying that the recto verso image on the bills was actually the central banks logo printed in such a way to protect the money from counterfeiting.

Iriawan noted that the case that involved Rizieq and other FPI leaders, such as Munarman, are personal cases.

He reiterated that the police would start investigation on a case based on public reports.

Earlier on Tuesday, thousands of people, from various groups organized by the Indonesia Islamic Front (FUI), staged a protest in front of the parliament building, demanding the discharge of Jakartas temporary governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama.

The protesters have also demanded the police not to treat ulemas like criminals.

ANTARA